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Tips for starting to sew

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I was so fascinated by all the responses to the questions about learning to sew that came in last week! Natalie B asked me if I might summarize some of the discussion, so I’m going to take a stab at condensing some of your experiences into some helpful tips for the aspiring seamstress (or… seamster? Is there a gender neutral term for this?)

  1. Beginnings can be frustrating! Some of the beginners mentioned that they really feel at a loss, and that their ideas and dreams really outpace their abilities. I think we all know how frustrating this is when you’re starting out. Katie made a wonderful observation related to this:

    “Also, with knitting you are forced to go slow at first… I found that when I started sewing on a machine I wanted to drive it like a car at 100 miles per hour . Not pacing yourself can lead to a lot of mistakes and frustration.”

    That is so true, isn’t it? We all want to get from point A to point B as fast as possible, especially when point A seems a bit of a dull wasteland of wrap skirts and potholders. But I worry that moving too quickly is what burns a lot of aspiring sewers out before their time. I think a good way for a beginner to approach this might be to look for simple projects that you can make with your own twist, like gorgeous trims or a fun printed fabric.

  2. You need a solid foundation. Many of you agreed that the foundations of great sewing are careful planning, the right fabric, and taking the time to get a good fit. Unfortunately, these are the most tempting areas for a beginner to cut corners. I think the lesson here is again, to slow down and let yourself enjoy the most creative part of sewing: the planning!
  3. A sewing community is a huge help. So many of you said that you learned to sew from mothers, grandmothers, and aunts. Others said they found that the most helpful thing was having an expert around to help when they got stuck. Still others pointed to blogs and sewing forums as the biggest help. But what they have in common is sharing knowledge with each other and finding help when you need it. Kate said:

    “I spend a lot of time reading blogs and reviewing online tutorials and books. Ideally, I would love to be a part of a sewing club or sewing circle in my city with women of all experience levels, so we can teach and mentor each other.”

    I agree, that would be an ideal way to learn and improve, no matter what level you’re at!

  4. Sewing is about continuous learning. I think one of the reasons many of us are drawn to sewing is the fact that you can do so much with it. The possibilities are vast. The other side of that is the fact that there is a lot to learn. In many cases, it’s hard to even determine what you don’t know so that you can learn. I loved this comment from Nicole because I really feel that this is a common experience, even for those that have been sewing a while:

    “I still don’t really know how to sew “properly,” but I pick up techniques from reading people’s blogs, surfing the internet, trial and error, etc. Somebody talks about underlining something, and then I spend an hour surfing around to find out about underlining and think about all the places I should have used it in the past.”

    I think the key is to set your expectations accordingly. You’ll never be “perfect,” and you’ll always be learning, so embrace it and dive in with your curiosity.

Do you guys have anything to add? Any more lessons learned for the new sewer?

Sarai Mitnick

Founder

Sarai started Colette back in 2009. She believes the primary role of a business should be to help people. She loves good books, sewing with wool, her charming cats, working in her garden, and eating salsa.

Comments

Mikhaela

March 2, 2010 #

I agree so much with #2! Because sewing CAN be so fast, it can be so tempting to just grab any fabric and any pattern, not bother with any fitting or tweaking, and just sittting down to sew… but you won’t be happy with the ill-fitting and unfabulous result, and that can be incredibly discouraging.

I’m reading Adele Margolis’ out-of-print but easily available Fashion Sewing for Everyone right now and I love what she says about choosing fabric, after discussing two categories of fabric (easy ones like plain weaves and solid colors and cottons vs. hard ones like silks, woolens, stripes, patterns, plaids, sheers, etc.):

“The first category (easy-to-handle fabrics) will present fewer problems for early ventures. However, if you have sufficient eagerness, determination and patience (it takes lots of this!) to carry you over the rough spots, then do choose a fabric from the second category (hard-to-handle fabrics) and learn to master it.

In either case, choose a fabric you love. If you don’t enjoy the color and feel of the fabric while you are working on it, chances are you won’t wear it. A sewer just has to be sensuous.”

BTW, I learned the basics from my mother and grandmother (both sewing experts who made most of their own clothes for many years) and have taken a class here and there. But I took a long hiatus and am just getting back into it and trying to pace myself.

I have learned the most from just taking it one project at a time, studying lots of blogs and books and magazines, and trying not to learn too many new techniques on any one garment. For example, I used one garment to learn twin-needle knit hems, another to learn rolled hems, another to learn attaching elastic and lace, another to practice FBAs and maternity belly adjustments on knits, etc.

That said, I recently dove in over my head and am trying patiently to work my way step by step through a vintage 1978 maternity dress pattern… my FIRST time using silk, my FIRST time sewing a vintage pattern, my FIRST time making a muslin for a dress, my FIRST time working with a large-scale print… I made the muslin twice to get just the right fit and am now carefully cutting that slippery silk and trying not to take shortcuts or rush things. (Even though the baby shower I am wearing it to is Saturday!)

Finally, one really obvious tip that was NOT obvious to me at all as an early beginner for some reason is to always use fabric scraps to test your machine tension and settings and practice any new stitching techniques–I always used to just start sewing right off the bat… oops!

Sarai

March 2, 2010 #

I love those tips from Ms. Margolis on fabric, it seems everything she wrote just makes so much sense.

It’s too bad many of us don’t have the wide variety of fabrics available to us that were plentiful decades ago. But maybe that will change with time.

Your method of learning a new technique with each project is the best approach, I think. It’s exactly what I did when I was learning to knit. For whatever reason, I feel like it’s a little harder with sewing, though. Maybe it’s because it’s not always obvious from a sewing pattern what skills are needed? Whereas I can tell pretty easily from a knitting pattern that it uses stranded color, or steeks, or short rows, or whatever.

Also, great additional tip! I remember doing tons of buttonholes on scrap fabric when I was starting out.

Mikhaela

March 2, 2010 #

Thanks Sarai! I couldn’t resist–here is another great quote from that same Margolis book, relating to points #1 and #2:

“Sewing is Not What it ‘Seams’
Did you think that sewing means dashing off to your sewing machine as quickly as possibly and stitching away madly? Not so! There are really not that many yards of machine stitching in an entire garment. Stitching is but the tip of the iceberg. It’s that submerged seven-eights–the planning, the care, the precision–that is so vital to the beauty of the garment. Sewing is literally not what it ‘seams’.”

Monet

March 2, 2010 #

As a fairly new sewer (but with an extensive family history of seamstresses), the most important thing to me is to be “in the zone.” I know it sounds cheesy and is an amorphous concept at best, but I know when I’m there…when I am truly enjoying the pattern, fabric, and everything I’m doing, and my vision is coming to life. Sometimes it happens, and sometimes it doesn’t. It doesn’t depend on the difficulty of the pattern or fabric, but my relationship with it. I wonder if other people experience the same thing.

The problem comes when I grow frustrated with something on which I’ve spent a lot of money and I just don’t enjoy the process. I bought three yards of some silk twill and used half of it to make a shirt that I’m not enjoying and probably won’t wear…and the other half to make the Madeleine Bloomers, which I enjoyed more than anything I’ve made so far!

In my experience, one of my biggest issues has been choosing patterns I like/want to make AND that I will actually wear. There has sometimes been a disconnect, as in the case of the shirt. I think new sewers need to analyze this carefully, or the project won’t be enjoyable (at best) and discouraging (at worst). I am continually working on maintaining this balance.

Thanks for starting this conversation. I’m happy to hear what other people have to say about their learning experiences…it’s so helpful!

Sarai

March 2, 2010 #

Yes, it’s almost more of an issue of personal style than strictly sewing-related, isn’t it? I mean, I’ve often had the same problem when shopping for clothes in the past. You pick out something and buy it because it’s cute, but soon realize you never wear it because it’s not you. It just takes a lot of consideration to figure out what you actually like to wear.

But then it’s amplified with sewing because you have so many more decisions and more control. You choose the style, the color, the weight of the fabric, all of it.

Monet

March 2, 2010 #

Absolutely! And, to be honest, I find that it requires you to be more brutally honest with yourself about your body shape/type than you might be comfortable with. It’s easy for me to say, “I don’t look good in J.Crew pants…it’s just the way THEY cut them,” as if it has nothing to do with my body or particular fit issues. It is difficult to fit your body in the clothes that look the best on you, particularly if you aren’t a “typical” size.

And–this is getting a little more philosophical, so forgive me–I find myself examining the real reasons I like wearing certain things and how they relate to my concept of my identity (or my fantasies of my identity). When I buy something in a store because I like it, it is completely different than spending just as much money and the TIME to make it. Sewing forces me to think about how I dress in relation to who I am, which I do think is difficult sometimes…especially when what I make doesn’t turn out the way I imagined!

Katie

March 2, 2010 #

I love your second point Monet! In fact, I think personal identity is something that should be taken into account more when shopping! There are lessons we can gather from our experiences sewing and make them applicable to our everyday lives – this is definitely one of them.

Slow down, think about who you are, and how you want to convey yourself to others and make it a reality! I didn’t understand for the longest time that clothes were a form of communication but now I am starting to get it!

Karrol

March 2, 2010 #

New sewists in the US can check for a local chapter of the American Sewing Guild. http://www.asg.org/ It’s just $40 to join and there are lots of meetings and events you can participate in to get help from a community of sewists.

I learned to sew from my grandmother at the age of 7, we also had sewing as part of home economics in middle school. I took it from there with books, and now blogs, and sites like http://sewing.patternreview.com/ where you can read reviews and discuss sewing at all levels in their message boards. Magazines like Sew News and Threads and Australian Stitches.

My advice for beginners would be to be patient, go slow, read all the directions thoroughly at each step. Start with simple projects and work your way up to loose garments where fit isn’t crucial then fitted garments. Use fabric that is easy to handle – not slippery or plush.

Remember that all sewists have made things that don’t turn out. We call them “wadders”; they get wadded up and thrown away! Using inexpensive fabric at the beginning while you’re learning will help you think of it as a lesson assignment and allow you to throw it out without guilt.

Most of all have fun with it and think of it as a learning process with a result that you can use or wear.

Mikhaela

March 2, 2010 #

PatternReview is the BEST for getting great tips and feedback–I posted photos of my muslins I was working on with my fitting issues and immediately got great comments with expert advice! And whenever I’m confused about a sewing issue I search the PR boards.

I would like to qualify though that I’m not sure that inexpensive fabric alone is the way to go when starting out–I would suggest using “good, but reasonably priced” or “very nice, but on a ridiculous sale” fabric to start out, or just starting with a category of fabric that is both good to learn on but inexpensive in general. Trying to learn to sew on cheap low-quality polyesters that make sewing more difficult and don’t necessarily produce great results or using non-apparel quilting cottons with no drape for clothes was a mistake I made at the beginning for sure. And it just makes sewing less fun when you produce something that is lower-quality than what you could get at discount store like H&M.

One of the first projects that I really felt good about was a full-length dress made of a drapey, but stable and easy to sew floral rayon from a bargain table at Jo-Ann’s, with a full lining. Not very expensive, but very pretty (well, pretty in 1998, anyway!) and I spent a lot of time and care making it come out right, with lots of hand-sewing, etc. I wore it to a few nice events and got compliments on it and was pleased as punch. If I had made the same thing from a scratchy poly-cotton with no drape, it would have been a learning experience but might have put me off sewing.

So inexpensive is good, but choose your inexpensive fabrics with care!

Leslie

March 2, 2010 #

I have to second Karrol here! I joined ASG about 6 years ago and I have really enjoyed it! Admittedly, some chapters are better than others, and if there’s not one locally you can always start one. FWIW – a membership to ASG entitles you to a lot of discounts, including 10% off at Joannes and Hancock’s. Also, most areas have local Quilting Guilds, and that’s another great place to meet other sewers.
I don’t work for ASG, lol – just made a lot of great friends and learned a bunch a long the way!

Mikhaela

March 2, 2010 #

Another option is BurdaStyle.com Sewing Clubs–I haven’t attended any yet, but I just found out there’s one in Brooklyn in my neighborhood! (and there is not an ASG chapter in NYC as far as I know)

Natalie B

March 2, 2010 #

Thank you so much! It was great to how people responded (and definitely fun to see my name on your blog :)

Leah

March 2, 2010 #

All excellent points. The last point (continuous learning) definitely applies to me. Though I’ve been sewing a good few years now, I always feel I have to know everything before I do a project. Which is ridiculous because learning comes with doing the project! I think it is important in the early stages to let go of any perfectionist tendencies (which I know is hard for some people!) because mistakes are inevitable and you can only improve. And if you are able to find someone, having a skilled/talented/experienced sewer to help you is also invaluable!

Echo

March 2, 2010 #

This is so right – I completely love sewing, even tracing patterns and I find that with with every project I learn something new, usually several somethings, because I make mistakes and because there are techniques required that are new or different to be researched, read about and then tried.

The Cupcake Goddess

March 2, 2010 #

I completely agree with all of this. I’m so glad you opened up these questions about this wonderful art. Sewing is so vast and I think you keep learning as you go along. I agree with the part where I pick up things here and there like the underlining technique. I did that too! I’m completely that way. But then there are other areas to dive into. I’m thinking of Natalie Chanin and her beautiful reverse applique techniques. I mean, she’s taken an old art and then transformed it for use in our modern day. That fabulous book, “The Art of Manipulating Fabric” I mean what a wealth of techniques that I’ve only dreamed about. It’s stuff like that. I mean how could know all about these things. There is so much out there. It’s amazing. My best advice to the beginning sewer: always be willing to learn something new. Because you will. And some things work for others but maybe not for you. Be open to trying new things and even coming up with your own methods.

levanah

March 2, 2010 #

“…ideas and dreams really outpace their abilities.”

I’m a newbie sewer, and the way I deal with my dreams outpacing my abilities, budget (wow, fabric is expensive!), and time, is to keep a sketchbook and scrapbook of my ideas and inspiration. Pencils and paper are cheap. Once I the idea out of my head and on paper, it no longer torments me. Then I can spend time working on the details of the project: am I ever going to wear this, or do I just think it’s beautiful? What fabric do I want to use? What do I need to research or practice before I sew? I clip inspiration I find on the web to evernote, or print it out and stick it on my inspiration board, too.

Mikhaela

March 2, 2010 #

I do this too! I get a certain satisfaction out of just sketching the garment, whether I get to make it or not! I made a little digital croquis of myself, and I draw pictures of myself wearing the outfits to get a better sense of whether it would work for me. (Note: I am an illustrator/cartoonist but I think even a notice sketcher could just trace a photo of herself to do this).

I also use Polyvore.com to collect images of clothing that inspires me.

Katie

March 2, 2010 #

Thanks so much for sharing my comment Sarai!

I am really enjoying this conversation and am learning a lot by reading along!

Amy

March 2, 2010 #

Definitely agree that slowing down is a good idea! I had a sewing machine for 2 years before I took any formal lessons, and couldn’t for the life of me work out why everything I did looked so botched. After one lesson I learnt to SLOW DOWN, pin properly, use a test scrap to sew something on your machine every time you thread it up, and measure loads! Now I can’t believe how quickly my sewing’s progressed. And the online community is an amazing wealth of information…I learn something new about sewing every day – most of the time this site :D

Zoe

March 3, 2010 #

Great post, thanks Sarai. I really relate to the last point, when you learn about a technique and realised you could have applied it to better effect to past projects. Or you make a garment from a special piece of fabric, and later think of lots of other ‘better’ uses for that same piece of fabric. I guess you have to think of each project as a lesson that took you to becoming a better sewer, rather than a potential waste of fabric! I’ve got to learn to stop looking at things I’ve made in the past as crude and amateur.

Thanks again
Zoe x

Carissa

March 3, 2010 #

I love that Zoe said to think of each project as a lesson rather than a waste…but I still think it’s good to start inexpensive. Try to make your first dress using a pattern with fabric you bought for $4 rather than $25…that way if you don’t like how it turned out you can send it to Goodwill and hope someone else enjoys your lesson:)

Caitlin

March 13, 2010 #

I am in some ways a beginner (although I did a fair bit of “sewing” with my mother growing up) and I have to say I like my approach of using nice fabrics (usually spending around $15 to $30 a yard) right from the beginning. Using fabric I love motivates me to take a lot of care when sewing as I’m so keen to do the fabric justice. I’m a very impatient person so I definitely need this prompt! And for me, part of the point of sewing is that I can make beautiful clothes with high quality fabric for the same amount I used to spend on mass-produced clothes almost always at least partly polyester. But that’s just me – I am a bit of a clothes addict and a perfectionist.

Anji

April 13, 2010 #

Growing up my mom would make Simple things like curtains and pillow cases. I would admire my mom’s handy work and begged my dad to teach me how to thread the sewing machine. I would try and make cloths for my Barbie from scraps !
Learning was very organic for me. I just played with the machine seeing what the stitches looked like and did with different fabrics. My skills increased 10x with the internet tutorials and blogs. I am still learning. I’d love to take a class and get some hands on, and advise from someone that is a professional. So many times you have a question that you can’t really find the answer to.

annie

October 30, 2011 #

my babies are leaving my home, EMPTY NEST SYNDROME, never truly thought this time of my life would come, it has, so……………………I need a hobby……..SEWING!!!!!!!!

Glory Ekanem

April 3, 2012 #

Am very impatient but I definatly want a good result. Am about starting my sewing classes soon. Is it possible I clould know at least the basic things about sewing in two months time?

Glory Ekanem

April 3, 2012 #

Am very impatient but I defiantly want a good result. Am about starting my sewing classes soon. Is it possible I could know at least the basic things about sewing in two months time?